A sidewalk “front porch” with bistro chairs and tables, food trucks parked nearby and two- or four-hour road closures on North Public Road is being proposed as a way to change the look of downtown Lafayette.

Strings of overhead lights and colorful Adirondack chairs also could grace the sidewalk area in front of the Chase Bank parking lot where the “front porch” area is proposed, said Jamie Ramos, a member of the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority. The “street café” could operate during lunch or dinner hours on a particular day of the week and outdoor furniture could be stored inside when not in use, Ramos said.

“The front porch idea proposes not just to play to the street, but to play on the street,” Ramos said. “How do you incorporate music and alcohol? It could be temporary, and it could be seasonal.”

The “front porch” area would be built in front of the Chase Bank parking lot directly south of the bank at 200 North Public Road, based on pictures in a presentation put together by Ramos. A Chase Bank representative did not immediately return a request for comment about the proposal.

The “front porch” is just one of several ideas discussed in a recent urban renewal authority workshop to upgrade the “streetscape” of downtown Lafayette. People who attended the workshop said they would like to see new signposts lighted from within, new sidewalk sandwich boards and new banners and murals to draw more people downtown. The Urban Renewal Authority plans to form a steering committee to work on streetscape plans, said Sally Martin, chairwoman of the group.

The Urban Renewal Authority has a budget of $35,800 in 2016 that could be used for the streetscape project. Streetscape upgrades might be limited by the budget, but other public funds could be available in the future, Ramos said.

Streetscape plans could include things such as more signs or banners at entrances or “gateways” to town, too, Ramos said.

Two downtown business owners said they were excited about the possibilities presented in the streetscape plan.

“We want this part of town to grow,” said Bill Pomeroy, who owns East Simpson Coffee Co. with wife, Leslie Wing-Pomeroy. “Our foot traffic is 50 percent, now. We’re a community place.”

Longtime building owner Axel Bishop liked the discussion about how to highlight the entrance to downtown, since his brick building is at the southwest corner of Baseline Road and North Public Road.